Pancreas

Diabetes is a condition in which sugar levels in your blood are high. When you eat, some of your food is broken down into sugar (also called glucose). Sugar from food can be sugar itself, or it can be from carbohydrates that the body turns into sugar. Sugar travels in your blood to all your body’s cells. Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into your cells. Insulin is a hormone that is made by the beta cells in your pancreas.

Your cells need sugar for energy. Sugar from food makes your blood sugar levels go up. Insulin lowers your blood sugar levels by helping sugar move from your blood into your cells.

What happens when you have diabetes?

When you have diabetes:

n Your pancreas makes little or no insulin, and/or

n Your body prevents the insulin you do make from working right

As a result, sugar can’t get into your cells. So it stays in your blood. That’s why your blood sugar gets too high (also called hyperglycemia).

Types of diabetes

Three common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. So people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults, but it can also appear in older adults.

In type 2 diabetes, your body prevents the insulin it does make from working right. Your body may make some insulin, but not enough. Most people with diabetes have type 2.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after the baby is born. But gestational diabetes increases the risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.

What is diabetes?

Food

Blood sugar

Sugar in cells

Digestion

Insulin

Managing your diabetes every day

Diabetes cannot yet be cured, but it can be managed. You can manage it by taking good care of yourself. Your diabetes care team will help you develop a diabetes care plan that is right for you. If you have questions about your plan, be sure to let your team know!

Checking your blood sugar

Checking your blood sugar is often the best way to be sure that your diabetes is under control. Checking often will tell you:

n If your insulin or other diabetes medicine is working

n How physical activity and the foods you eat affect your blood sugar

You’ll usually feel better and have more energy when your blood sugar stays at or near normal. Managing your blood sugar can also reduce your risk of developing problems from diabetes.

Many different kinds of blood sugar meters are available today. Your diabetes care team can help you choose a meter and show you how to use it.

The table on this page lists blood sugar goals for people with diabetes. You and your diabetes care team will set the goals that are right for you. Write your goals in the last column.

Goals for many Time adults with Your goals diabetes*

Before meals 70 to 130 mg/dL ––––––––––––

1 to 2 hours after Less than the start of a meal 180 mg/dL ––––––––––––

A1C Less than 7% ––––––––––––

* Your individual goals may differ, so speak with your doctor about your specific goals.

Adapted from the American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2013. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(suppl 1):S11-S66.

What is diabetes?

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